Michael Vaughan criticizes PCB for dropping Babar Azam from Test squad

Former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed shock and disappointment after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) excluded Babar Azam from the squad for the remaining two Tests against England. Vaughan, now a cricket pundit, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, October 13, to voice his frustration over the decision, calling it "absolutely stupid."

Pakistan lost the first Test of the three-match series by an innings and 47 runs in Multan, with Babar Azam struggling to find form, scoring just 30 and 5 runs in the match. His recent poor run includes 18 consecutive Test innings without a half-century.

Despite his struggles, Vaughan was surprised by the PCB's decision to drop the team’s premier batter, especially with Pakistan trailing 1-0 in the series.

"So Pakistan haven’t won in a while… Go 1-nil down in the series and decide to drop the best player in @babarazam258. I guess Pakistan cricket is full of surprises, but this tops the lot… absolutely stupid decision… unless he has asked for a break!!!" tweeted Vaughan.

Alongside Babar, key players Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed have also been rested for the final two Tests, which are scheduled in Multan and Rawalpindi. The PCB stated that the decision was made based on the players' current form, fitness, and future international commitments.

“Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection,” PCB said in a press release.

“The four players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially part of the original first Test squad but were subsequently released, have also been included in the 16-player squad,” the statement added.

Pakistan’s updated squad for the remaining Tests: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, and Zahid Mehmood.